(May 15, 2014) Travelers to and from Nantucket should have a new transportation option by the summer of 2016: A 493-passenger, high-speed catamaran that Hy-Line Cruises plans to replace the conventional ferry Great Point.

Meeting Tuesday in New Bedford, the Steamship Authority board of governors unanimously approved the private boat-line’s request to operate the new fast ferry between Nantucket and Hyannis in addition to its current fast boat the Grey Lady. Hy-Line officials expect the boat to be 153 feet in length, 12 feet longer than the Grey Lady, with seating for 365 indoors and 128 more outside on the upper deck.

Hy-Line currently runs nine round-trips between Hyannis and Nantucket in the summer with the Grey Lady and Great Point, and the intent would be to maintain the same schedule with the two fast boats, Hy-Line vice president Murray Scudder said.

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